Small Business Development Center

is a collaboration of Federal and State government, higher education, businesses, not for profits, foundations, chambers of commerce and economic development organizations. This network exists to serve businesses and non-profits in:

Loan Applications (and related cash flow projections)

Marketing

Management

QuickBooks

Business Planning

Access To Capital

Effective Business Systems

Buying Or Selling A Business

The Small Business Development Center is a statewide network providing free and confidential counseling and highly affordable training to current and prospective business owners and nonprofits.

The West-Central Region of the Colorado Small Business Development Center is hosted by Western State Colorado University. The center serves the counties of Chaffee, Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Lake, Montrose, Ouray and San Miguel.

Map of Region 10

The Small Business Development Center is the Small Business Administration's largest program, now 30 years old.

Who does the Small Business Development Center at Western State Colorado University serve?

Colorado residents and those who legally reside in the U.S. The majority of clients are businesses that have been in existence for more than three years. All business owners or managers are invited to contact the SBDC.

How can the Small Business Development Center help you?

Expert counselors help businesspeople with all aspects of business planning, analysis, management and strategy, through counseling, workshops, seminars, and referrals.

Counseling is provided on a wide variety of business topics, including:

Experts meet with business owners free of charge to discuss your needs and chart a course for success. Spouse or business partners are invited to attend counseling sessions.

When you require specialized help, your counselor can find an expert by tapping into the statewide SBDC network.

Business owners are invited to meet with one or more counselors, short-term or long-term depending on your needs. Your information is kept strictly confidential.

How is the Small Business Development Center funded?

The program is a cooperative effort of the private sector, the educational community, and federal, state and local government. Primary funding is through the Federal Small Business Association, Govener Ritter's Office of Economic Development, Western State Colorado University and generous volunteer consultants.

What type of education is offered?

The Small Business Development Center offers workshops and courses on topics business owners need, from accounting to web site setup. Workshops include half-hour mini-courses, lunch-and-learn meetings, and the intensive fourteen-week-long course on "How to Write a Business Plan."

If you have an idea for a class, we would like to hear about it; chances are, other businesspeople need it too.